THE Port Arcades has been given the go-ahead for a #5m extension and facelift.

And bosses say they are already in talks with two big high street names as possible tenants.

Warner Estate Holdings, which owns the town centre shopping complex, plans a major three-phase renovation programme.

A start date for the work has not yet been announced but Warner says it wants to proceed as soon as possible.

The council has granted outline planning consent and a detailed blueprint is now being drawn up.

Phase one of the project includes refurbishment of the empty shop units in Marina Walk and the construction of a large retail store, the upper part of which will be earmarked for leisure use.

Phase two will cover the area next to the Halifax Bank where three empty shops will be turned into one large store.

Details of phase three of the scheme have yet to be announced.

Associate director of Warner Estate Holdings, Richard Moore said: 'The Port Arcades forms the retail focus for the town centre and continues to attract interest from large space retailers. As a result we are in advanced discussions with two potential tenants.

'Our plans are designed to both modernise parts of the centre and also provide units in the configuration which best suits known demand from the major retailers wishing to gain representation in the town.'

Port Arcades centre manager Les Lyon said: 'This is tremendous news for the Port Arcades and all of our shoppers. These changes will bring an even greater range of good-quality retailers to the centre.

'The refurbishment represents a huge vote of confidence in the area. This has to be the best thing to have happened to Ellesmere Port town centre in the last 10 years.'